About Us
May 12th, 2007
We are Denise and Pete, married since 1990. We live in Morton Grove, Illinois — a small suburb just north of Chicago.
After almost two years of discussion, angst, and finally, negotiation, we bought a 1928 Chicago-style bay-front brick bungalow from our (now former) neighbor, with whom we are still in contact. Our previous house, only 90 feet away, was a nice but unremarkable 1963 raised ranch without much character.
The current house, before we bought it
Previous house
Although the previous house was first owned by Pete’s grandparents when they retired, he had no emotional attachment to it (moving out of the suburbs would prove to be another story). I, Denise, moved in with him after happily living the single life in Chicago, planning to stay in the house “6 or 7 years” until his daughters were in college and then finding a home with character to renovate (preferably in the city).
Fast-forward seventeen years.
After looking at dozens of nice and not-so-nice Chicago-style bungalows in several north side Chicago neighborhoods, the bungalow that would make both of us happy was right in front of us all along.
While the “bones” of the house were solid, there were issues: an attic stacked with 200 sheets of 10-year-old drywall, some questionable renovating/decorating decisions, original woodwork painted white, damaged plaster walls also covered in white, and a basement-turned-litterbox, to name a few. We’re slowly breathing life (and color) back into the house.
To get a hold of us you can send an email to:
owners [at] bungalowchronicles [dot] com
13 Responses to “About Us”
Ron May 13th, 2007 at 3:19 pm #
I just discovered you blog on houseblogs.net and look forward to reading about your new home. You must be very excited about the move. It’s a beautiful home. Congratulations!
denise May 14th, 2007 at 5:35 pm #
Thanks Ron! Some people think we’re crazy for doing this after being in our house for so long, but I can’t wait, and I can’t believe it’s finally happening! Good luck with your house too–it looks really fabulous!
Anna May 15th, 2007 at 4:30 pm #
Hi Denise,
just as Ron I look forward to reading more about your house. And I really like your banner for this blog!
By the way, I smiled at your cats’ names – especially Günter. Did you name him after my father-in-law?
Best wishes
Anna
denise May 16th, 2007 at 9:30 am #
Hi Anna! Vielen Dank für den Besuch! I saw pictures of your father-in-law on your blog, and except for the gray hair, our Günters don’t look anything alike! Looking forward to reading about your house too.
southsideandy June 18th, 2007 at 12:43 am #
Denise and Pete…good to see folks making the transition from ranch to bungalow! My wife and I are in the same general boat…just bought a bungalow, actually in Chi-town, and we’ll be working to make it our own. Looking forward to reading about all the work…and I hope our blog will be as interesting as well…you’re welcome to “steal” any ideas we have…
Mike March 13th, 2008 at 9:06 pm #
Hey P and D,
My dad just showed me the website tonight. The place looks great, it gives me hope for my little hell hole. Oddly enough my house was built in ‘28 too, although I think it looks a bit older than yours. Happy renovating!
Mike
sharon September 29th, 2008 at 7:16 pm #
Hi guys, just found your blog. I’m dying for more pictures. I am a displaced Chicagoan living in Dallas (for 20+years!) who dreams daily of owning a vingtage Chicago bungalow and restoring it to its rightful charm. I would kill (operative word here due to the current state of the neighborhood!) to own the bungalow in South Shore that my mother grew up in. It breaks my heart to see these beauties rehabbed to where they look like clones of current tract homes. The kitchens all seem to resemble showroom displays from HomeDepot, anywhere USA. I know the original kitchens were spartan to say the least (I’ve got slides from my grandmother’s kitchen). But c’mon…can’t there be some historical integrity here? I hope I’m not stepping on any toes here, to each his own. Thanks for hearing my 2cents worth.
Joe November 13th, 2008 at 7:13 pm #
Your house looks great and so does the web site. It looks just like the one across the street. I miss the old pick up truck though.
JM September 8th, 2009 at 4:33 pm #
Very interested in your adventures in bungalow living. I too own a bungalow, but in the near west suburbs. Built somewhere around 1905- 1910. Bungalow living is not for everyone – but I love my house and my neighborhood and am lucky to have the original art glass windows in the LR, DR & front door. Loved the pictures showing your windows they look exquisite.
I’m very interested in the attic insulation project – as I am contemplating the same thing. The attic is unused right now – but anything that helps with energy conservation- I am all for it. Do you think that snow in the winter will be a problem, as now it won’t melt as quickly?
denise September 9th, 2009 at 8:32 pm #
Hi JM, and welcome! I find that most people (who like older homes) love the bungalow style. It’s great that you still have your art glass windows too; I think it adds so much character.
Re: insulation, of course I’m no expert, but it’s my understanding that you don’t want the snow to melt quickly on your roof, because you then start running into ice damming, which will ruin your roof much quicker. Also, snow is an insulator as well, so it’s only helping you save on heating costs.
Like I said, the whole insulation thing can be very confusing and difficult to figure out, but so far we’re happy with our decision. I’m really hoping to see a measurable difference in our energy costs this winter because we also had no insulation in our unfinished attic prior to this.
Good luck and thanks for your comment!
Molly July 19th, 2010 at 4:38 pm #
Hi, I was hoping to get some help about incinerators. I live in a bungalow neighborhood in Southern California called Bungalow Heaven. I am the newsletter editor for our neighborhood association. I have been given the assignment to write about backyard incinerators as some of the homes around here either have remnants or entire incinerators in their back yards. I am having no luck on any history about them and was hoping you or someone on your blog could help. Thanks!
denise July 19th, 2010 at 5:30 pm #
Hi Molly! I’m afraid I don’t know anything about incinerators. I don’t know if they’re even allowed in our area. Maybe your local government could help guide you, and/or a local historical society? Sorry I can’t help more. Good luck!
Josh July 23rd, 2010 at 2:46 pm #
It pretty much goes without saying, but you’ve done a great job of chronicling here. It’s a really fun as well as inspiring (perspiring?) read. My wife and I recently bought a bungalow of our own in the Chicago area. Any chance you could pass along the name(s) of the architects you contacted for the work on your place?